Do I have a case on a verbal contract?
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Do I have a case on a verbal contract?
My apartment lease ended last month. I turned in my intent to leave in November and cited the rate increases (rent increase by $150/month, a new water charge of $35 and a renter’s insurance requirement) as my reason. To get me to stay, over the phone they offered to only increase my rent by $50/month and told me that I wouldn’t have to pay the new water charge for about a year. Today she told me that I had to pay the water fee. When I reminded her about our conversation, she basically denied saying any of it. What if anything can I do about it? The only reason I stayed was of because I wouldn’t have to pay water and higher rent.
Asked on January 2, 2013 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this country a lease needs to be in writing unless there is part performance on one's part to take the agreement out of the written requirement. From what you have written you have done so. The option is to pay what you agreed to and wait to see of the landlord sues you for the difference or pay the full amount and you sue the landlord for the difference.
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